Lab Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Garcia G Jr, Irudayam JI, Jeyachandran AV, et al. Innate immune pathway modulator screen identifies STING pathway activation as a strategy to inhibit multiple families of arbo and respiratory viruses. Cell Rep Med. 2023 May 16;4(5):101024. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101024.

Ramaiah A, Khubbar M, Bauer A, et al. Genomic surveillance identifies SARS-CoV-2 transmission patterns in local university populations, Wisconsin, USA, 2020-2022. Microb Genom. 2023 Mar;9(3). doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.000970.

Ramaiah A, Khubbar M, Scott S, et al. Implementation and Evaluation of the Clear Dx Platform for Sequencing SARS-CoV-2 Genomes in a Public Health Laboratory. Microbiol Spectr. 2023 Mar 28:e0495722. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.04957-22. Epub ahead of print.

Koralur M, Chen CY, Pillay A, et al. Evaluation of a laboratory-developed multiplex real-time PCR assay for diagnosis of syphilis, herpes and chancroid genital ulcers in four public health laboratories in the USA. Sex Transm Infect. 2022 Sep;98(6):448-450. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2021-055081.

Ramuta MD, Newman CM, Brakefield SF, et al. SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens are detected in continuous air samples from congregate settings. Nat Commun. 2022 Aug 11;13(1):4717. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-32406-w.

Baker JM, Nakayama JY, O'Hegarty M, et al. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant Transmission Within Households - Four U.S. Jurisdictions, November 2021-February 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Mar 4;71(9):341-346. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7109e1.

Scott SJ, Pfotenhauer B, Weiner JJ, et al. Respiratory Pathogen Coinfections in SARS-CoV-2-Positive Patients in Southeastern Wisconsin: A Retrospective Analysis. Microbiol Spectr. 2021 Oct 31;9(2):e0083121. doi: 10.1128/Spectrum.00831-21.

Owusu D, Pomeroy MA, Lewis NM, et al. Persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA Shedding Without Evidence of Infectiousness: A Cohort Study of Individuals With COVID-19. J Infect Dis. 2021 Oct 28;224(8):1362-1371. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiab107.

Yousaf AR, Duca LM, Chu V, et al. A Prospective Cohort Study in Nonhospitalized Household Contacts With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: Symptom Profiles and Symptom Change Over Time. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Oct 5;73(7):e1841-e1849. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1072.

Reses HE, Fajans M, Lee SH, et al. Performance of existing and novel surveillance case definitions for COVID-19 in household contacts of PCR-confirmed COVID-19. BMC Public Health. 2021 Sep 25;21(1):1747. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11683-y.

Goryoka GW, Cossaboom CM, Gharpure R, et al. One Health Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Seropositivity among Pets in Households with Confirmed Human COVID-19 Cases-Utah and Wisconsin, 2020. Viruses. 2021 Sep 12;13(9):1813. doi: 10.3390/v13091813.

Salvatore PP, Bhattacharyya S, Christensen K, et al. Reduced sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing with single-nostril nasal swabs. J Clin Virol. 2021 Jul;140:104852. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2021.104852.

Wadhwa, A., et. al. (2021). Comparison of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ELISA and the Abbot Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG nucleocapsid protein assays for detection of antibodies. PLOS One 16(7): e0255208, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255208.

Town, K., et. al. (2021). Exploring and comparing the structure of sexual networks affected by Neisseria gonorrhoeae using sexual partner services investigation and genomic data. Sex Transm Dis 2021 Jul 23. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001520. Online ahead of print.

Salvatore, P., et. al. (2021). Epidemiological Correlates of Polymerase Chain Reaction Cycle Threshold Values in the Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Clin Infect Dis 72(11): e761-e767, doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1469.

Moreno, G., Braun, K., Riemersma, K., et. al. (2020). Revealing fine-scale spatiotemporal differences in SARS-CoV-2 introduction and spread. Nature Communications 11:5558, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19346-z.

Laws, R., Chancey, R., Rabold, E., et. al. (2020). Symptoms and Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Among Children - Utah and Wisconsin, March-May 2020. Pediatrics; doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-027268.

Khubbar, M., et. al. (2020). Milwaukee Strengthens Surveillance and Response to Drug-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. APHL Lab Matters: Summer 2020, Issue 3.

Lewis, N., et. al. (2020). Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States. Clin Infect Dis, ciaa1166, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1166.

Paradis, H., et. al. (2020). Public Health Efforts to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission During the April 7, 2020, Election - City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 13-May 5, 2020. MMWR 69(30): 1002-1003.

Yousaf, A. & Duca, L., et. al. (2020). A Prospective Cohort Study in Nonhospitalized Household Contacts With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: Symptom Profiles and Symptom Change Over Time. Clin Infect Dis, ciaa1072, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1072.

Dawson, P. & Rabold, E.M., et al. (2020). Loss of Taste and Smell as Distinguishing Symptoms of COVID-19. Clin Infect Dis, ciaa799, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa799.

Amsterdam, L. & Bhattacharyya, S. (2020). Strengthening United States Response to Resistant Gonorrhea. APHL Lab Matters: Spring 2020, Issue 2.

Idowu, A., et al. (2019). Rare mutations in Pfmdr1 gene of Plasmodium falciparum detected in clinical isolates from patients treated with anti-malarial drug in Nigeria. Malar J 18:319.

Navidad, J., Pfotenhauer, B., Leigh, N., Maas, E., Gradus, S. & Bhattacharyya, S. (2019). Clinical evaluation and cost analysis of a Trioplex real-time PCR assay for the detection and differentiation of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 in cutaneous and mucocutaneous lesions. J Med Microbiol: doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.000971

Idowu, A., et al. (2018). Plasmodium falciparum Treated with Artemisinin-based Combined Therapy Exhibits Enhanced Mutation, Heightened Cortisol and TNF-α Induction. Int J Med Sci 15(13): 1449-1457.

Carey, R., et al. (2018). Implementing a Quality Management System in the Medical Microbiology Laboratory. Clin Microbiol Rev 31(3): e00062-17.

Bhattacharyya, S., et al. (2017). Nanotechnolgoy in the Water Industry, Part 2: Toxicology and Analysis. J AWWA 109(12): 45-53.

Bhattacharyya, S., et al. (2017). Nanotechnology in the Water Industry, Part 1: Occurrence and Risks. J AWWA 109(11): 30-37.

Lo, C-Y., et al. (2017). Surveillance Study of Influenza Occurrence and Immunity in a Wisconsin Cohort During the 2009 Pandemic. Open Forum Infect Dis 4(2): ofx023.

Papp, J.R., et al. (2016). Recovery of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from 4 commercially available transport systems. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/jdiagmicrobio.2016.06.019.

Gradus, M.S. (2015). Milwaukee and the Cryptosporidium outbreak 1993. In Bartam, J., et. al. (Eds), Routledge Handbook of Water and Health (pp.689-698). London and New York: Routledge.

Navidad, J., Bina, D., Khubbar, M., Gradus, S. & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Retrospective Analyses of Norovirus Diversity during Gastrointestinal Illness Response in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Period of 2006-2013. Ann Public Health Res 2(3): 1024.

Daum, L.T., et al. (2015). Whole-genome sequence for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC BAA-1680. Genome Announc 3(2):e00011-15.

Patel, A., Navidad, J., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2014). Site-specific Clinical Evaluation of the Luminex® xTAG® Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel for the Detection of Infectious Gastroenteritis in Fecal Specimens. J Clin Microbio.: JCM.01393-14.

Igbokwe, H., et. al (2014). Preponderance of toxigenic Escherichia coli in stool pathogens correlates with toxin detection in accessible drinking-water sources. Epidemiol Infect. 1:1-11.

Posters

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 dPCR Targets in Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

Z. Scott, J. Zimmer, S. Siomko, L. Beversdorf, D. Payne

Selecting a portable incubator to aid partners in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae collection for antibiotic susceptibility testing

S. Budiono, C. Ahrenhoerster, Z. Netterfield-Amezquita, K. Quigley, D. Payne

Comparison of culture-based, qPCR, and dPCR methods for E. coli detection at three Milwaukee beaches
J. Zimmer, S. Siomko, L. Beversdorf

Molecular Detection of Respiratory Pathogens from Congregate Spaces Using Aerosol Samplers for Public Health Actions

S. Siomko, J. Zimmer, N. Tomaro, H. Kraussel, L. Schmidt, L. Beversdorf

Wastewater-Based Techniques: Optimizing Bench Protocols from Sample Concentration to dPCR in a Local Public Health Laboratory

J. Zimmer, S. Siomko, L. Beversdorf

Evaluation of Updated Aptima Combo 2 Assay in a High-prevalence United States Sexually-transmitted Infection Community

M. Khubbar, Z. Netterfield-Amezquita, C. Ahrenhoerster, K. Akinyemi, A. Bauer, S. Budiono, E. Munson

Genomic Surveillance Identifies SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Patterns in Local University Populations, Wisconsin, USA, 2020-2022

A. Ramaiah, M. Khubbar, A. Bauer, K. Akinyemi, J. Weiner, S. Bhattacharyya

To all the other diseases, P.S. We still test for you: A local PHL's response to COVID-19
S. Scott, J. Hilleshiem, J. Lentz, B. Pfotenhauer, A. Bauer, S. Budiono, Z. Amezquita-Montes, J. Weiner, N. Leigh, M. Khubbar, K. Schieble, and S. Bhattacharyya

Emergence and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 during early stages of COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
M. Khubbar, G. Moreno, K. Braun, T. Friedrich, D. O'Connor, and S. Bhattacharyya

Clinical validation of patient-collected swab specimens in diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections in clinical setting
Z. Amezquita-Montes, R. Gomez, S. Budiono, J. Weiner, E. Osuala, V. Bearden-Berrada, H. Hermus, M. Khubbar, and S. Bhattacharyya

SARS-CoV-2 point of care testing in high-risk population to improve public health response
A. Bauer, K. Schieble, B. Pfotenhauer, M. Khubbar, and S. Bhattacharyya

Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium in high risk patients seeking testing at a local Public Health Laboratory
M. Khubbar, J. Weiner, T. Dasu, Z. Amezquita-Montes, K. Schieble, H. Hermus, R. Kryshak, J. Dalby, and S. Bhattacharyya

Molecular characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in high prevalence jurisdiction exhibits clonal lineage with decreased susceptibility to Azithromycin
J. Weiner, M. Khubbar, R. Gomez, K. Keuler, H. Hermus, P. Hunter, J. Dalby, L. Amsterdam, T. Dasu, and S. Bhattacharyya

Milwaukee’s Laboratory System Improvement Program - 2018 Reassessment and Next Steps
T. Dasu, T. Cobb, N. Leigh, B. Pfotenhauer, R. Pinhancos, J. Plevak, K. Schieble, M. Stevenson, and S. Bhattacharyya

Public Health Partnership in Response to Resistant Gonorrhea: Role of Laboratories in Enhancing Local Capacity Towards Improved Gonococcal Surveillance
M. Khubbar, R. Gomez, J. Weiner, K. Keuler, N. Leigh, T. Dasu, T. Maher, J. Katrichis, J. Dalby, P. Hunter, J. Pfister, D. Shrestha, L. Amsterdam, and S. Bhattacharyya

A Semi-Automated Method to Analyze and Report Data from Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
J. Weiner, M. Khubbar, and S. Bhattacharyya

Analysis of Microbial Diversity - A Novel Metagenomic Approach to Decipher Beach Microbiome
M. Khubbar, B. Fanelli, N. Hasan, J. Wojnar, V. Kalve, R. Colwell, and S. Bhattacharyya

Application of Next Generation Sequencing in a Local Public Health Laboratory - The Benefit of Innovative Partnering
S. Bhattacharyya, M. Khubbar, J. Navidad, and S. Gradus

Impact of a Local Public Health Laboratory as a First Responder in Vaccine Preventable Disease Investigations
S. Gradus, J. Navidad, M. Khubbar, B. Krause, B. Pfotenhauer, N. Leigh, S. Coffaro, J. Lestarge, J. Katrichis, M. Stanley, P. Hunter, S. Bhattacharyya

Screening a High Risk Population for Trichomonas vaginalis at a Local Public Health Laboratory Using a NAAT Assay to Improve Sexually Transmitted Infection Case Management Practices
S. Bhattacharyya, M. Khubbar, W. Genous, E. Osuala, B. Krause, J. Lokken, J. Navidad, M. McCarron, C. Silveyra, I. Reitl, P. Hunter, S. Gradus

Real-time 4th Generation HIV Algorithm Implementation in the STD Clinic at the City of Milwaukee Health Department
S. Gradus, J. Navidad, M. Khubbar, K. Krchnavek, W. Genous, E. Osuala, B. Borzon, I. Reitl, P. Hunter, K. Owusu-Ofori, S. Bhattacharyya

Growing Healthy Soil for Healthy Communities: A Community, Academic and Public Health Partnership to Build Soil Testing Capacity
D. Qadah, K. Smith, B. Hui, E. Yanke, L. Lien, S. Johnson, C. Hamilton, N. Gilliam, J. Davis, M. Martin, D. Cardona, B. Gramling, D. Soldat, G. Siemering, S. Ventura, S. Gradus, S. Bhattacharyya

Metagenomic Analysis of Human Fecal Microbiome Using Ion Torrent 16S rRNA Sequencing to Understand Microbial Diversity and Pathogen Association During Diarrheal Illness
S. Bhattacharyya, M. A. Sanchez-Gonzalez, C. Liddiard, J. Navidad, A. Patel, M. McDermott, D. Warshauer, L. Desjardin, S. Gradus, D. Salyakina, J. Coffman

Awareness and Opportunities in Public Health Laboratory System Careers—Value of a Laboratory System Improvement Program (L-SIP) in Bridging Workforce Development Gaps among Stakeholders
S. Gradus, K. Owusu-Ofori, J. Becker and S. Bhattacharyya

Workforce Certification in Quality Improvement Facilitates a "Culture of Quality" in a Local Public Health Laboratory
K. Owusu-Ofori, S. Bhattacharyya and S. Gradus

Milwaukee Public Health Laboratory uses LEAN to Lower the Cost of Gonorrhea/Chlamydia Testing
K. Owusu-Ofori, S. Bhattacharyya and S. Gradus

Characterization of Multi-drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Immigrants Residing in the United States using Next Generation Sequencing

L. Daum, G. Fischer: Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics, San Antonio, TX

S. Bhattacharyya, M. Khubbar, J. Sromek, P. Hunter, S. Gradus: City of Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory, Milwaukee, WI

Same-day Beach Closure Decisions Using Real-time Quantitative PCR Assay: Detection of E. coli in Milwaukee Area Beaches
S. Bhattacharyya, M. Khubbar, V. Kalve, T. Linder, A. Gandhi and S. Gradus

Milwaukee’s Local Laboratory System Improvement Program (L-SIP) Action Plan
S. Gradus, S. Bhattacharyya and B.K. Baker

The State Public Health Laboratory System Improvement Program (L-SIP) Assessment Applied to a Local Public Health Laboratory System (LPHL System)
S. Gradus, S. Bhattacharyya: City of Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory, Milwaukee, WI
A. Murphy: Consultant, Milwaukee, WI

The Role of the Public Health Laboratory in Assessing Norovirus Diversity and Potential Impact of Genetic Variations in Local Outbreaks
J. Navidad, M. Khubbar, D. Bina, S. Gradus and S. Bhattacharyya

A Local Public Health Laboratory Response to the 2009 Influenza A H1N1 Pandemic: Mapping of Preparedness to Core Laboratory Functions and Essential Services
S. Gradus, D. Bina, J. Navidad, M. Khubbar, M. Zemke and S. Bhattacharyya

A Local Public Health Laboratory’s Role and Surge Implications During a Long-term Shigellosis Outbreak
A. Singh, P. Biedrzycki, M. Khubbar, D. Griswold, J. Lokken, V. Kalve, B. Krause, A. Hagy and S. Gradus